AC Refrigerant Leaks: What are the Common Causes?

As time goes by, the compressor, coils, line set, and the expansion valve could bring about leakages that result to AC problems such as an overheated compressor or insufficient cooling.

The amount of refrigerant that goes through the entire system can be simply referred to as its charge. As such, leaking of this charge can result to failure or malfunctioning of the system. That said, before calling in a professional for AC repairs in your Draper, UT home, here are the major causes of refrigerant leakage problems.

Formaldehyde

Over an extended period, formaldehyde that is present in the AC system will form formic acid, which is the leading cause of corrosion inside your cooling system. Upon building up of the formic acid, pinholes are formed in the copper tubing within the system. These holes create room for the refrigerant to leak through the system.

Loosened Rubber Seal

The rubber seal present on the service valve of the AC is meant to protect the system’s interior from corrosion by outside weather elements. However, over time, the rubber seals loosen up as a result of wear and tear. In the end, the loose rubbers pave the way for refrigerant leaks.

Debris Accumulation

Clogged filters are listed among the major causes of refrigerant leaks. A clogged filter can’t effectively filter out dirt, and as such, the debris builds up in the AC. As the AC vibrates during normal function, the accumulated debris damages the interior parts of the system, leading to perforations. These perforations make way for refrigerant leaks.

Fixing the above causes of refrigerant leaks only takes you back a few bucks, and doesn’t consume a lot of time. However, preventing their occurrence in the first place is much easier and cheaper. This can be done through routine professional maintenance as they prevent the occurrence of these situations, and if they are already there, repair is done on time to prevent further damage to the system.